A voicemail function allows a cellphone subscriber to record an introductory greeting and receive voice messages that can be listened to at her leisure. The capacity for a standard voicemail box – from major carriers Sprint, AT&T and Verizon – is 20 messages. All three major carriers provide a user interface that allows for setup of a cellular phone voice message upon activation.

Verizon

Press “*VM(86)” on your Verizon handset.

Press “Send” on the handset. You will be prompted to enter voicemail setup commands. Verizon will also prompt you to enter your default account passcode. The default passcode for Verizon is 0000.

Choose a new passcode. You will be prompted to record a voice signature to your voicemail. Enter your voice signature after the tone. Verizon voicemail will prompt you to record your voicemail greeting.

AT&T

Choose a password for your AT&T voicemail box. AT&T allows four to 15 numerical digits to serve as a voicemail passcode.

Record your name after the tone.

Record your voicemail greeting after the tone.

Sprint

Enter Standby mode on your Sprint handset by holding the “1” key for two seconds. You will be prompted to enter voicemail setup commands.

Select a password for your Sprint voicemail box. Sprint allows six to 10 numerical digits to serve as a voicemail passcode.

Record your name after the beep.

Record your voicemail greeting after the prompt. You will be prompted to choose to enable One-Touch Message Access. Sprint’s One-Touch Message Access feature allows you to press a single key on the Sprint handset to access your voice-mail box without a password.

About the Author

A.J. Andrews' work has appeared in Food and Wine, Fricote and "BBC Good Food." He lives in Europe where he bakes with wild yeast, milks goats for cheese and prepares for the Court of Master Sommeliers level II exam. Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu.